MEDIA RELEASE - Active citizens recognised on Australia Day
January 2016
The Shire of Manjimup's annual Australia Day celebration for 2016 was hosted in the town of Northcliffe.In keeping with tradition, the day's activities commenced with an Aussie Breakfast and entertainment from 8am, a formal awards ceremony at 10 am and sausage sizzle lunch with more entertainment.
A section of Wheatley Coast Road, from Zamia to Boronia Streets, was closed to traffic for the event. "It is a beautiful Australian setting, with the shade of the trees surrounding us and both the Munda Biddi and the Bibbulmun running through the area," said Shire President Wade DeCampo
Cr DeCampo explained that a significant amount of work goes on behind the scenes to plan the Australia Day celebration every year, saying "this year a committee of Northcliffe locals, including Councillor Graham Munro, have spent a lot of time working with the Shire to devise the celebrations that feature around the Shire's formal program. There could be a few more surprises than expected, but you'll have to come down and celebrate with us to find out what they are."
The formalities included the presentation of the Premier's Australia Day Active Citizenship Awards, which Cr DeCampo says "are a way of recognising the dedicated individuals and community groups whose time and devotion to their community, and the region as a whole, make the Shire of Manjimup such a special place to live and visit."
Inspirational guest speaker Wally Bettink, who remained unnamed until the day, was also on the program. Cr DeCampo describes him as "a local who has experienced the true Northcliffe, who gave us an interesting and amusing take on what it is to live down under."
Breakfast was hosted in the Northcliffe Community Garden, with the early bird entertainment including music from the band 'Formidable Vegetable Sound System', bush poetry and a special Australia Day 'surprise entertainer'. A midday sausage sizzle, once again in the community garden, was accompanied by entertainment from the band 'Great Gable', featuring local boy Brandon Richards.
In an interesting twist, special guest Peter Tripovich visited the region from Melbourne. Having been in the region approximately ten years ago on a walk around Australia to raise money for orphaned children, his goal was suspended unexpectedly in Pemberton. He recommenced his walk from Pemberton and joined in the celebrations in Northcliffe before continuing on to Walpole.
Congratulations to the recipients of the Premier's Australia Day Active Citizenship Awards in each category, as follows:
- Premier's Australia Day Active Citizenship Award for a person over 25 years: Winner is: Pam BodsworthPam has demonstrated leadership in the operation of a significant community event, namely in her role as President of the Manjimup Cherry Harmony Festival committee, of which she has been a member for many years. Pam has also provided 18 years of outstanding service as a leader with the Girl Guides and as a contributor to many other community causes.
- Premier's Australia Day Active Citizenship Awards for a person under 25 years: Winner is: Olivia DaubneyOlivia's nomination recognises her outstanding contribution to the community as a role model and an ambassador for the youth of this Shire. The themes she has pursued through her interest in fashion design have been influenced by her love of her home district and in turn her successes have served to promote our unique flora and fauna.
- Premier's Australia Day Active Citizenship Award for a community group or event: Winner is: Northcliffe Bush Fire BrigadeThe Northcliffe BFB has been proactive in carrying out fuel reduction burns throughout their area of operation. They have established water points in and around the townsite of Northcliffe and applied for grants and raised funds to purchase further equipment.
